I PLAYED TOO LONG

“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and ^[h]fared sumptuously every day. ²⁰ But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, ²¹ desiring to be fed with ^[i]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. ²² So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ And being in torments in Hades, he lifted his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Luke 16:19-23

In today’s text we are going to look at a teaching of Jesus about two people who had opposite experiences in life and in death. As we spend some time with this haunting story, we will ask God to give us guidance and insight. Being Lost or Being Found are two profound experiences. To be lost is to be separated from God, our Creator and Father who loves us and who reaches out to us. To be found is to experience acceptance, peace, forgiveness – grace and mercy by our Father. Looks can be deceiving when we see only the outward appearances, we can miss what God wants us to see.

The rich man was selfish, unconcern, self-centered and only thought of himself. The word of God is saying to us “the day you hear my voice, harden not your heart. We cannot say I did not know the way. God have sent His words through preaching, teachings, electronic devices, and witnesses. IGNORANT IS NOT AN EXCUSE. We know the way. Jesus is the Way, Truth and the Life. If we study and follow His instructions, we will not walk in darkness. We will know what God expects from each of us. Thomas said, “Lord show me the way.” In vs 29, “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ The same man that I rejected in life, I need him to dip his finger in water and cool my tongue, b/c I am in agony in this fire. For the one that you turned your back on throughout life, is now being comforted while you are in agony.

What is our attitude toward other people? Who is our neighbors? Do we check on the sick? Who is alone? Who is sick? Who is home bound? Who is struggling with the crushing weight of life? Who is hurting because of choices in life? Who are we failing to notice? How can I minister to the Lazarus of this world? What can we do to be of help to someone? How can we show the love of Christ using the gifts or time that God has given us?

I am quite sure the rich had the opportunity to accept the invitation to Salvation. Repentance is necessary if we want to go to Heaven and escape eternal punishment. The rich man played too long and found himself being tormented in agony while the man that he saw everyday was being comforted in the bosom of Abraham. The rich man final requests were “to have Lazarus to dip his finger in water and placed it upon his tongue. Send someone to warn my brothers to repent and not to come down here.

If you are uncertain of your Salvation; repent, ask for forgiveness and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. Attending church every time the door is open, will not save you. You MUST be born again!!! Do not be caught playing when He return. People have said “when I finish partying and enjoying myself, I will get saved. Don’t gamble with your soul. If death summon us while we are partying and enjoying ourselves, we will be like the rich man and lift up our eyes in Hell.